Copyright Joliet, IL Patch
Survey respondents agreed distracted walking reflects a societal trend towards self-absorption but differed on "distracted walking" laws. Heather no longer buries her face in her phone when she crosses the street. She owes her recovery as a “distracted walker” addicted to her phone to a construction worker who likely saved her life. The Brooklyn (New York) Patch reader was sending texts, checking emails and absorbed in her phone as she walked along a busy street, oblivious to what was going on around her. Suddenly, the worker extended his arm like a crossing guard, blocking her from moving forward. “I did not see the huge, long, heavy building equipment that would have stabbed me in my forehead had I continued walking,” Heather said. “After that, I never looked at my phone while walking.” Heather described her brush with death in response to our informal survey for Block Talk, Patch’s exclusive neighborhood etiquette column. A handful of cities and towns have imposed bans on cellphone use while crossing the street, and we wondered if readers would support similar ordinances where they live. Many respondents agreed that distracted walking reflects a societal trend towards self-absorption, though they differed on the need for legislation. Branford (Connecticut) Patch reader Annie is over the moon at such a prospect, saying she is “100,000,000,000 percent” in favor of a law that spells out what she thinks should be obvious. “Who would walk, or drive, with their eyes closed?” Annie wondered. “You need to look at your surroundings,” said Tisha, a New York City Patch reader who lives in Westchester. “A lot of people just step into the crosswalk without looking to see if a car is coming. Some people are too busy looking at their phones, and also take too long to cross. They really need to be aware. It is dangerous; I see it every day.” “Walking is dangerous enough without being distracted. Do you want to end up in a hospital or worse?” said Janice, who reads Northampton Patch and Newtown Patch in Pennsylvania, and Tiverton-Little Compton Patch and Newport Patch in Rhode Island. True Confessions Like Heather, New City (New York) Patch reader Bev is a reformed distracted walker. No construction worker stepped in to save her from herself. “I fell and fractured my knee and injured my hands, elbow and other leg approximately 10 years ago while looking at my phone,” said Bev, who now understands it’s “a selfish act that traumatizes others.” “You might get seriously injured or killed, but that’s your problem; however, you could traumatize someone else — the driver, your family and onlookers,” Bev said. “That’s not fair to them.” Beth, a Natick (Massachusetts) Patch reader, said she would probably “be dead by now” if she paid more attention to her phone than to the traffic during her regular walks with her dog. “You can't do both at once, especially when not all cars respect pedestrians,” Beth said. “With more and more housing being built, without expansion of roadways, roadways are becoming more and more congested. Vehicles are much bigger and heavier than pedestrians,” she said. “As a pedestrian, I can’t even count on cars, trucks and vans to stop at a painted crosswalk for me, a pedestrian.” Nashua (New Hampshire) Patch reader TB supports a ban, but said it would be impossible to enforce. People need to police themselves, the reader said. “Please stop; it’s dangerous. You could get badly injured or worse. Someone could come up behind you and attack you!” TB implored. “I’ve been walked into because you weren’t aware I was there. I was in a car accident because the girl behind me was on her phone — spent two years with memory issues, and I still don’t remember most of the accident.” ‘Main Character Syndrome’ “It’s illegal for driving. It should be the same for walking, and riding bikes as well, especially e-bikes or any other electric-assisted devices!” said Evanston (Illinois) Patch reader Spamkiller5000 said. “You are going to get yourself or someone else hurt or killed,” the reader continued. “Quit behaving like someone with ‘main character syndrome.’” “Get your head out of your phone. Put your phone away. I’m sure most texts are for stupid, nonsense things and can wait until it is safe or you to text,” said Red, who reads Wayne Patch and Belleville-Nutley Patch, both in New Jersey. “Wake up and pay attention to your surroundings, or you may be the next fatal accident that happens.” Red said distracted walking laws should have a graduated fine schedule for repeat offenses, and that “jail time would be appropriate” for scofflaws who ignore their fines. “Other people's safety is jeopardized by the ignorant and stupid people who text while walking and crossing the street,” Red said. The Kids Are Watching Morris Plains (New Jersey) Patch reader Susan said kids are picking up on their parents’ example and never bother to look up from their phones as they cross the street. “The consequences will not be in your favor if you are hit by a car, and could be life-threatening! Think about it!” Susan said. Westfield (New Jersey) Patch reader JM also worries parents born into the digital age are passing a dangerous legacy down to their children. “I am guilty of this, too, as an adult, so I can only imagine it being much worse amongst children,” JM said. “If a law is put into effect now, perhaps it can curb this distraction now and protect future generations.” Bryan, a Huntington (New York) Patch reader, said the only way to get through to some people is through their wallet. “Yes, ban texting while walking — it’s a danger for the texter as well as the driver who may be sued for damages,” Bryan said. “People who are that oblivious to put themselves in a situation like that wouldn’t listen to any advice or warnings. Maybe a few summons and court dates will wake them up.” Kim, who reads Oakton Patch and Herndon Patch, both in Virginia, said distracted walkers not only endanger their lives and those of motorists they aimlessly wander in front of, but they’re “a nuisance to other people walking, too.” ‘Just Stop’ “We don’t need any more laws,” West Chester (Pennsylvania) Patch reader Cazzie said. “A distracted walking law is ridiculous. What about the parent who is juggling a toddler? Gonna give them a ticket, too? Just stop. “I’ve seen many people who step out into traffic without looking with no phone in hand,” Cazzie said. “It’s not about the device. It’s the person who is distracted — by everything.” Kurtis, an Odenton-Severn (Maryland) Patch reader, thinks distracted walking is a problem, but doesn’t think a ban is the way to address it. Whether reading a paper or map, chatting with a companion or listening to music on a portable device, “distracted walking “has likely existed as long as we’be been walking,” Kurtis said. “Texting while walking is simply the modern version of those same behaviors, not a fundamentally new threat.” His main objection is that a ban “takes away personal freedom.” “We should be cautious about laws that restrict ordinary behavior — such as texting while walking — especially when the behavior in question is already widespread, and the risk is variable,” Kurtis said. “Just as I wouldn’t support passing a law forbidding someone from reaching inside their bag or adjusting an item rolling out of a cart while crossing a parking lot, I don’t believe a ban on texting while walking is appropriate. It would effectively say, ‘You cannot engage in this relatively minor distraction while walking.’ That’s a slippery slope toward limiting how we can use our time while walking, or how we move through public spaces.” A better course is to raise awareness, Kurtis said, explaining, “Instead of adding one more regulation creating compliance burdens — and possibly unintended consequences (such as over-policing minor infractions) — we can focus on education, design (e.g., better crosswalk signals, lighting), and personal responsibility.” “We have enough bans on everything,” said Florida Patch reader Becca. “This is a personal action that people should take upon themselves to pay attention to their surroundings. You are responsible for your own success in most everything you do. Wake up, people!” ‘Real Presence Vs. Passive Consumption’ Daryl, a New York City Patch reader, was philosophical. “Your device might be a portal to endless entertainment, connection, and information — but it’s not where your life is,” Daryl said. “The laughter of a friend, the rustle of leaves, the glance from a stranger, the unexpected beauty of a moment — all of that is out here, not in there. “Every time you choose your screen over your surroundings, you trade real presence for passive consumption. You miss the chance to be surprised, to connect, to grow. And the truth is, the world doesn’t pause while you scroll. “So take a breath. Look around. Be where your feet are. Your attention is your most valuable currency — spend it wisely.” “Please take a short course in mindfulness,” said Upper East Side (New York) Patch reader Ken. “Your life might just change when you realize that a whole world is happening around you, one that you currently are not aware of.” ‘You’re Addicted’ Other readers were more direct. “Put your phone down,” said Catherine, a Pasadena (California) Patch reader. “You’re addicted.” “Get off the phone. Turn off the music. Pay attention. Stop being so self-absorbed,” said Virginia, a Pennsylvania Patch reader who lives in Conshohocken. “Please be aware that there are other people impacted by your absorption in your phone than just you,” Anne Arundel (Maryland) Patch reader Carolyn said. “You cross roads while distracted by your phone, you dismiss other people around you while you text, you think you are capable of splitting your attention between texts and real-world interaction, but you are shortchanging both, too often, at other people’s expense.” “You are selfish and unbelievably entitled. You are not only putting yourself in danger, but also endangering those around you. Unplug. Hang up. Look around and be aware of your surroundings,” said D, an Olney (Maryland) Patch reader. The reader doesn’t support a ban on cellphone use while crossing the street, saying it “wouldn’t be enforced.” “We have bans on handheld devices for drivers, and they aren’t enforced either,” D said. “Would it help? Look at all the drivers still texting, weaving, slowing down, speeding up suddenly,” said Newport (Rhode Island) Patch reader Jan, who is skeptical that a distracted walking law would have much effect. ‘Survival Of The Fittest’ Some readers were unfiltered, offering plain talk and sarcasm in their responses that reflect their frustration rather than actual intent. “F - - k no,” a Hartford (Connecticut) Patch reader said in answer to our question about distracted walking laws. “Let the stupid, unimportant morons get hurt or die,” a Hartford (Connecticut) Patch reader said. “It’s the only form of population control we have left.” Princeton (New Jersey) Patch reader Barry was blunt, too. There’s no need for a law, he said, because “once hit by a car, they will stop.” “Who enforces? It’s stupid,” said San Francisco Patch reader Jojie. “Put up educational signs of warning at crossings.” “How ridiculous,” Minnetonka (Minnesota) Patch reader Izzy said. “People need to stop trying to control other people and having big government. If you want to be so stupid as to be on your phone as you cross the street, that is on you.” “I don't condone protecting stupid people from themselves,” Bridgewater (New Jersey) Patch reader Pete said. “You do stupid things, you pay the consequences.” “I would just say this is one of the rare ‘survival of the fittest’ scenarios we still have, and if your sense of self-preservation is this low, then you get what you get,” Wallingford (Connecticut) Patch reader Betsy said. “But,” Betsy added, “the driver is usually the innocent bystander who doesn’t deserve the repercussions of your stupidity.” “If a crosswalk says I can walk, then I should be able to expect that cars will not enter it and, thus, I should be able to glance at my phone if I need to,” said California Patch reader Pi. “The fault lies with the person piloting a multi-ton vehicle if I am hit in a crosswalk.” About Block Talk Block Talk is a regular Patch feature offering real-world advice from readers on how to resolve everyday neighborhood problems. If you have a neighborhood etiquette question or problem you'd like for us to consider, email beth.dalbey@patch.com, with Block Talk as the subject line. Catch up on Block Talk What To Do When Your Neighbor’s Weed ‘Smells Like A Skunk’s Behind’ The Sheets Hit The Fan When We Asked About Scented Laundry Products Fire Pit Season Heats Up; Here Are Some Dos And Don’ts It’s ‘One Big Goose Latrine’ In Some Neighborhoods If You Don’t Return A Shopping Cart, Are You A Total Jerk? ‘Poop Cleanup In Aisle 9’: Do Dogs Belong In Stores?
